Erin
My name is Erin, and I am a non-binary Christian.
Ever since I accepted my queerness, I began to appreciate my faith even more. God has shown me profound ways to live out the virtues He teaches through His word, the Bible, and I continuously love that I can show up as I am and follow Him without feeling shame for who I am as a queer person.
Pronouns: they/them
Photo credit: Erin archives
But I also acknowledge and understand that not everyone can embrace and affirm the path I am walking. As someone who is openly religious and queer, it is inevitable for me to encounter people who do not share the same sentiments.
While I do not see this as a hindrance to making friends (because it is a good thing to be open and relational), it does not stop me from experiencing rejection and disappointment from others, especially when they are also believers who I thought could create a wonderful friendship with me.
I am learning to establish three things: First, I no longer feel the need to apologize for showing up the way I am. The truth is, I love being queer, and I also love loving God. There is no mutual exclusivity between these two facts.
Only people's bigotry hinders them from realizing this. Second, it is true that God calls me to be patient and understanding of other people, but that does not mean I should tolerate their judgmental beliefs and actions. I am learning to stand up for myself with love.
Lastly, I will continue to follow Christ. And this is all by God’s grace. I can thoroughly testify that being a Queer Christian is one of the wonderful existential truths that I am grateful to experience.
Photo credit: Erin archives
